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Boise • The fate of the Utah State Aggies is back in their hands, thanks to a game-winning field goal by Air Force.

The Falcons upset Colorado State 27-24 Friday with a game-winning 39-yard field goal, clearing the way for the Aggies to earn a berth in the MWC Championship game if they beat Boise State on Saturday.

It's a big task, but given the way things have shaken out in the past few weeks, no one can count out the Aggies.

They've lost starter after starter and are down to their fourth-string quarterback, but they keep beating the odds.

"It's all about the culture in that locker room," Utah State coach Matt Wells said of his group. "There is something special going on in there."

Boise State has plenty at stake, too, since it can possibly earn a trip to a New Year's Day Bowl.

The Broncos are ranked No. 23 in the College Football Playoff poll and would be awarded the New Year's Day bowl slot, given to the highest ranked team out of the Group of Five (American Athletic Conference, MAC, Mountain West, Conference USA, Sun Belt) if they win out.

But even without all the post-season implications, this matchup is intriguing because of the Broncos' strengths.

Boise State has the league's top-rated offense, averaging 513.4 yards per game. The Broncos average 218.2 rushing and 295.2 yards passing.

They lead the league in scoring, averaging 40 points per game, which leads the league and is ninth in the nation.

The Aggies boast one of the top defenses in the country, giving up just 351 yards per game, of which 116.5 yards come on the ground.

Utah State is allowing only 18.3 points per game, which leads the league and is 10th best nationally.

"Something's got to give," Wells said. "You've got the No. 1 scoring defense and the No. 1 scoring offense in the Mountain West, so something's got to give. They've got the best back in the league, and we've got the best linebacker. Let's go."

The back Wells speaks of is junior Jay Ajayi, who has 1,390 yards on 276 carries with 10 touchdowns this season.

He averages 126.4 yards per game, but will find it tough to get yards against the Aggies if they play at their typical level. Just three runners — San Jose State's Tyler Ervin (104), Wyoming's Brian Hill (122) and Arkansas State's Johnston White (100) — have hit the 100-yard mark against the Aggies this season.

Utah State senior Zach Vigil was disappointed how the Aggies performed against the run in the opening minutes of the San Jose State game and knows he and his teammates must do better from the start against the Broncos.

"It's going to be a tough game," he said. "We have to go in and play our best from the start."

Working in the Aggies' favor is their improved offense. The Aggies have averaged 256.5 yards rushing in their past four games, while freshman quarterback Kent Myers is looking more confident.

"He's in as good a spot as he can be right now," Wells said. "Each and every game is a bigger test for him. We were on the road, then on the road with bad weather, then home to our fans. Now he gets to walk into Boise. That's a tough environment to play on the road in. They've been very successful there at home. Each week gets a little bigger for him, and each week he takes a step forward."

Will it be enough to help the Aggies score an upset?

Hopes are it is.

"Boise State has only lost four games in 15 or 16 years at home," Wells said. "The bad news is that is reality. The good news is that there were those four. You're telling me I've got a chance."

Utah State at No. 25 Boise State

P Kickoff • 8:15 p.m.

TV • ESPN2

Radio • 610 KVNU.com

Records • Utah State (9-3, 6-1), Air Force (9-2, 6-1)

Series history • Boise State leads 14-4

Last meeting • BSU won, 34-20, Oct. 10, 2013

About the Aggies • USU has won 13 of its past 14 conference road games and 14 of its past 23 road games overall. … A win at BSU would give the Aggies just their second 10-plus-win season in the program's history. … USU has won 17 straight games when it has a 100-yard rusher. … Offensive lineman Kevin Whimpey is listed as "day to day" with an injury that kept him out of the second half of the San Jose St. game.

About the Broncos • Coming off a 63-14 win at Wyoming. … QB Grant Hedrick is 243-of-341 passing for 3,041 yards with 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. … Averaging 40 points and allowing 28.4 points…Bryan Harsin is 9-2 in his first year as the Broncos' head coach and 16-7 in two seasons as a college head coach.